civility

[si-vil-i-tee]

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noun, plural ci·vil·i·ties.

courtesy; politeness.
a polite action or expression: an exchange of civilities.
Archaic. civilization; culture; good breeding.

Origin of civility

1350–1400; Middle English civilite < Middle French < Latin cīvīlitāt- (stem of cīvīlitās) courtesy. See civil, -ity

Related formso·ver·ci·vil·i·ty, noun

Synonyms for civility

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1. affability, amiability, manners, tact.

Dictionary.com Unabridged Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2018

Related Words for civility

decorum, propriety, courtesy, respect, comity, politeness, amenity, compliance, tact, affability

Examples from the Web for civility

Contemporary Examples of civility

Indeed, they view us as children who can never adhere to the standards of civility and decency to which they hold other groups.
Dear White People: Well-Meaning Paternalism Is Still Racist
Chloé Valdary
December 9, 2014
We should expect the default to be civility, not harassment.
Hey, Creeps, ‘Compliments’ Are Harassment, Too
Tauriq Moosa
November 5, 2014
Its civility has been crushed; its fragile peace has been blown apart by the mindless toxicity of a summer of violence.
The Gaza War Has Left Jerusalem More Divided Than Ever
Peter Schwartzstein
August 24, 2014
Soon, however, the mask of civility was removed, revealing the ugly face of bigotry.
When Bigotry Comes to Your Hometown
Dean Obeidallah
July 11, 2014
Civility and canny bipartisanship in Congress were the key factors.
How a Dream Became a Law: Passing the Civil Rights Act of 1964
Wendy Smith
March 31, 2014

Historical Examples of civility

If Halbert will let me alone, or treat me with civility, he may be sure that I shall not trouble him.
Brave and Bold
Horatio Alger
America, at its best, matches a commitment to principle with a concern for civility.
United States Presidents' Inaugural Speeches
Various
Civility,” said Lady Montague, “costs nothing and buys everything.
Self-Help
Samuel Smiles
Yet it is a civility which I seldom refuse to anything which wears a cap.
Micah Clarke
Arthur Conan Doyle
The populace were all civility to him so were the ministers.
Blackwood's Edinburgh Magazine, Volume 59, No. 364, February 1846
Various

British Dictionary definitions for civility

civility

noun plural -ties

politeness or courtesy, esp when formal
(often plural) an act of politeness

Collins English Dictionary - Complete & Unabridged 2012 Digital Edition © William Collins Sons & Co. Ltd. 1979, 1986 © HarperCollins Publishers 1998, 2000, 2003, 2005, 2006, 2007, 2009, 2012

Word Origin and History for civility

late 14c., "status of a citizen," from Old French civilite (14c.), from Latin civitatem (nominative civitas) "the art of governing; courteousness," from cvilis "relating to a citizen, relating to public life, befitting a citizen; popular, affable, courteous" (see civil). Later especially "good citizenship" (1530s). Also "state of being civilized" (1540s); "behavior proper to civilized persons" (1560s).